Toy rocket chute



April 1960 c. F. STROZIER, Si l, ETAL 2,933,851

TOY ROCKET CHUTE Filed Jan. 30, 1958 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 24 Charles E Sfmzier, 5n

\ Daniel L. Will 44 INVENTORS United States Patent "ice TOY ROCKET CHUTE "Charles F. Strozier, Sr., and Daniel L. Witt, Macon, Ga.; said Witt, assiguor to said Strozier Application January 30, 1958,, Serial No. 712,192 3 Claims. (CI. 46-86) An object "of the present invention is to provide a "toy rocket chute in which the chute is collapsed and projected upwardly with there being a concealed figurine incorporated therein vm'th the concealed figurine being revealed during descent of the chute when in open condition with the figurine serving to facilitate the proper operation of the chute.

. Another object of the present invention is to provide a projector for a toy rocket chute incorporating spring means and a handle which is easily used and does not endanger the person using "the device.

A further object of the "present invention is "to provide ato'y rocket chute which is extremely'simple in construction, easy to use, well adapted for its intended purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. "Thesetogether with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational view of the toy rocket chute of the present invention in collapsed condition with portions thereof broken away illustrating the construction thereof;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the toy chute in expanded or descending condition;

.Figure 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3--3 of Figure 1 illustrating the internal constructionof the chute;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along-section line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side elevational viewof the projector;

Figure 6 is an end view of the projector looking from the handle end illustrating the axial spring for launching the chute;

Figure 7 is a fragmental elevational view illustrating a cone which may be employed in the present invention to reduce air drag; and

Figure 8 is a perspectiveview illustrating the manner in which the chute is launched with the projector.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the toy rocket chute of the present invention which may be launched by using the projector generally designated by the numeral 12.

The chute 10 generally includes a fabric parachute member 14 having a plurality of downwardly converging shroud lines 16 connected to the lower edge thereof. The lower end of each of the shroud lines is connected to a circular plate 18 which has an elongated tubular member 20 rigidly connected thereto and extending therethrough and extending vertically to a point-within the confines of the parachute member 14. The plate 18 and tubular member 20 are secured together by clamp nuts 22 which 2,933,851 Patented Apr. 2 .1960

also secures a circular cap 24 having a depending threaded flange 26 which screw 'threadedly receives a cylindrical member 28, which depends below the circular plate 18.

Extending through the tubular member 20, the circular plate 18 and the cap 24 is an elongated rod 30. The elongated rod 30 extends above the upper end of the tubular member 20 and projects slidably through an externally threaded tubular adapter sleeve 32 in the central apex of the parachute member 14. The adapter 32 is held in position by clamp nuts 34 and a plurality of reinforcing elements 36 which prevent tearing of and damage to the flexible parachute 14. The upper end of the elongated rod 30 terminates in a hook 38 for a purpose described hereinafter. The lower end of the rod 30 terminates in an eye 40 normally disposed above the plate '18 when the parachute is collapsed with a pair of flexible lines 42 being connected to the eye member 40 and extending below the lower end of the tubular member 20 when the parachute is in collapsed'condition. Attached between the free end of the lines 42 is a small figurine 44 which is'also weighted and which simulates the appearance of a man or a paratrooper. The figurine is of a size to be received within and completely concealed within the cylindrical member 28 when the parachute is in collapsed condition as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.

"Referring now specifically to Figures Sand 6, the projector 12 includes a handle'St) having a pair of upstanding cars 52 at one end thereof for pivotally mounting a pair of cars 54 on a flat plate 56. A hinge pin 58 interconnects the ears '52 and 54 and an axial spring 60 encircles the hinge pin 48 with one end thereof terminally engaging the flat plate 56 and the other end thereof terminally engaging the handle 50 whereby pivotal movementof the flat'plate '56 will be limited in both directions. In one direction, the movement will be limited by the adjacent edges of the ears 52 and 54 respectively so that the flat plate 56 will be substantially aligned with the handle 50. The other limit of movement is provided by the axial spring 60 which has the ends thereof anchored to the elements 50 and 56 respectively and which has a normal position of repose in which the flat plate 56 will be substantially perpendicular to the handle 50. This protects the knuckles of the person using the device. Attached to the outer end of the flat plate 56 is a flexible element 62 having a ring member 64 on the free end thereof and being attached to the flat plate 56 by a clamp member 66 secured in position by a clamp bolt 68.

Referring to Figure 8, the device is used by engaging the hooked end 38 of the chute 10 with the eye or loop member 64 on the flexible member 62. The spring 60 is then tensioned and the element 56 is moved generally into alignment with the handle 50 and upward movement of the rod 30 caused by force being exerted on the book 38 will assure that the figurine 44 will be concealed within the cylindrical member 28 whereby the chute may then be launched in a'vertical direction by releasing the hand which is gripping the cylindrical member 28. After the chute has reached its peak of travel, the weight of the figurine 44 will move downwardly thus moving the parachute downwardly in relation to the plate 18 which will release any tension which may occur on the shroud line 16 thus facilitating the opening of the parachute at which time the parachute will descend slowly to the ground.

When the device is being launched, tcnsioning of the spring 16 will collapse the parachute 14 so that the Same maybe launched by releasing the cylindrical member 28 and aiming the chute in the desired direction. As the parachute approaches the upper limit of its ascent, the weighted figurine will move the entire assembly downwardly and the parachute'will open toa condition illustrated in Figure 2. The opening of the parachute causes the cylindrical member 28 and the tubular member 20 to move upwardly relative to the rod 30 thus completely uncovering the figurine 44.

The foregoing iscOnsidered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described,

and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be-resorted to, falling within the scopeof the inven- 'ftion as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A toy comprising a collapsible parachute having an aperture disposed in the central portion thereof and a plurality of downwardly extending shroud lines, a cylindric'al member supported fromsaid shroud lines, an elongated tubular member mounted on said cylindrical mem- ,the lower end of the rod, projecting means for engagement with said hook for projecting the toy upwardly with the parachute collapsed and the figurine disposed completely within the cylindrical member, said cylindrical member being movable upwardly relative to said rod when the device descends with the parachute open whereby said figurine is completely uncovered.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said projecting means includes a handle, a plate pivotally attached to one end of said handle, spring means urging said plate to a perpendicular relationship with the handle, a flexible element connected to the free end of said plate and terminating in a loop for engagement with the hook on the upper end of the rod whereby the spring will project the toy chute when the same is tensioned and then suddenly released. p

3. A toy comprising a collapsible parachute having an aperture disposed in the central portion thereof and having a plurality of shroud lines, a cylindrical member sup ported from said shroud lines and having an opening in the lower end thereof, an elongated tubular member mounted on said cylindrical member and extending upwardly towards the central portion of said parachute, an elongated rod having upper and lower ends slidable in said tubular member, the upper end of said rod extending. through the aperture in said parachute and terminating above said parachute and a weighted figurine having flexible support means, said flexible .support means being directly connected to said rod, whereby said figurine is housed within said cylindrical member when the parachute is in a collapsed position and is completely uncovered by upward movement of said cylindrical member relative to said rod in response to the opening of said parachute.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 679,996. Schneider Aug. 6, 1901 734,832 Donaly July 28, 1903 754,745 Clark Mar. 15, 1904 1,421,234 Houghton June 27, 1922 1,765,721 Grossman June 24, 1930 2,421,618 Hornbeek June 3, 1947 2,588,941 Stark Mar. 11, 1952 

